The longest layover: ‘Central Airport THF’ tells story of refugees living at former Tempelhof airport

“Central Airport THF” is a portrait of refugees living in converted hangars at the former Tempelhof airport. Month by month, the documentary shows life on the airport grounds, zeroing in on the story of 19-year-old Ibrahim from Syria who makes friends and learns German while waiting for news about his application for refugee status.

Karim Aïnouz, director of the film which won the Amnesty International Film Prize at the Berlinale Film Festival, wants to continue following this story, especially highlighting the lives of those still living in the airport in temporary container homes. He tells us: “These are not people that are coming here to try to get our jobs. These are neighbors that are trying to make a life as much as we can.”